FORTE 9 Documentation

Add and Remove Key Signatures

Add and Remove Key Signatures

There are 15 standard types of keys in the Input Palette that you can add to your music. The key displays the accidentals (sharps and flats) normally required to define the pitches on the staff. For example, in the key of G Major the sharp on the F indicates that all F notes that do not have an explicit accidental (such as a natural) are to be played as F-sharp.

Keys are always added to the beginning of a measure. When you view the music in Page View (vs. Track View) the key is drawn at the left edge of each system - just as it should be when printed. The notation engine automatically handles correct display of keys on each system as well as "reminder keys" at the end of a system when a key begins at the start of the next system.

Adding key does not change or transpose the playback of the music. Instead itUsed to makes the notation less cluttered by removing accidentals.

To Add a Key

Select the Key tab tab in the Input Palette, then select a key to insert.

Move the cursor over the measure to which you want to add the key. Notice that the cursor changes into a pointing finger and that each measure highlights as you move the cursor over it.

Click the mouse to add the key at the beginning of the highlighted measure.

Once a key is added to your music you can edit its type, position and appearance.

To Remove a Key

Select the key and press the Delete key.

Note: You cannot remove the first key and you cannot remove the keys that appear at the start of each system. To make it such that keys do not appear at the start of each system, see Lead Sheet options in the Edit Layout topic..